Cold gas microthruster

Abstract

This chapter covers the development of cold gas microthruster, which is widely regarded as the simplest way of generating thrust in space, for nanosatellites. A brief background and principles of operation were given, followed by the introduction of nozzle theory that could be used in the preliminary estimation of microthruster performance and considerations in selecting a suitable propellant. The current state of development in cold gas microthruster (at the time of writing in 2020) was provided, from its first use in SNAP-1 in 2000 to another 12 nanosatellites as well as one technology demonstration mission in Prototype Research Instruments and Space Mission technology Advancement small satellite. The chapter ends with a discussion on future nanosatellite missions that will feature a cold gas microthruster system and the challenges, such as fabrication of micronozzle and its design optimization, to improve overall efficiency.